How to add artist and title to mp3 files — free, no upload
- Step 1Open the editor and drop the untagged MP3 — Drop your blank
.mp3onto the ID3 editor. One file per run; it reads into browser memory with no upload. - Step 2Add the Title — Type the song or clip name into Title (
TIT2). This replaces the filename-as-title fallback every player shows for untagged files. - Step 3Add the Artist — Type the performer/author into Artist (
TPE1). This is the single field that moves the track out of the Unknown Artist bucket. - Step 4Add Album and Track # to group it — If the file belongs to a set, fill Album identically across the set and set Track # (e.g.
2/8). Identical album text + track numbers is what makes them list as one ordered album. - Step 5Add cover art instead of the grey placeholder — Optionally drop a JPG or PNG into the Album art picker to give the track a real cover rather than the default empty-art icon.
- Step 6Process and download — Run it. FFmpeg writes the new frames, stream-copies the audio, and returns
*-tagged.mp3. Your blank original on disk is untouched.
Minimum fields to stop a player showing 'Unknown'
What each field fixes for a completely blank MP3. Fill Artist + Title at minimum; add Album + Track # to make a set group as an album.
| Field | What a blank file shows | After you add it | ID3 frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist | Unknown Artist | Track filed under the real artist | TPE1 |
| Title | The filename (e.g. audio_001) | The real song/clip name | TIT2 |
| Album | Unknown Album / no grouping | Tracks group as one album | TALB |
| Track # | Sorted by filename | Sorted in intended order | TRCK |
| Year | No date | Release/record year | TYER/TDRC (via date) |
| Cover | Grey placeholder icon | Real embedded artwork | APIC |
The six editable fields and the ID3 frames they write
These are the exact fields the editor exposes. Each non-empty value is passed to FFmpeg as -metadata key=value; the value is normalised by FFmpeg's MP3 muxer into the matching ID3v2.3 frame. Empty fields are skipped entirely, so the original frame is preserved by the audio stream-copy.
| Editor field | FFmpeg metadata key | ID3v2.3 frame | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | title | TIT2 | Track / song / episode title |
| Artist | artist | TPE1 | Lead performer / author / host |
| Album | album | TALB | Album / show name / collection |
| Year | date | TYER / TDRC | FFmpeg writes the Year box to the date key, not a separate year key |
| Genre | genre | TCON | Free text — no fixed picklist is enforced |
| Track # | track | TRCK | Plain number or n/total (e.g. 3/12) — typed as text |
Tier limits for the ID3 editor
ID3 editing stream-copies the audio (no re-encode), so it is one of the lightest audio operations — but the same per-file ceilings apply. Tagging is single-file: the tool does not accept a multi-file drop, so the per-batch file count does not apply here.
| Tier | Max file size | Max duration | Files per run | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 50 MB | 30 minutes | 1 (single file) | Free, no account |
| Pro | 200 MB | 120 minutes | 1 (single file) | Paid |
| Pro-media | 100 GB | Unlimited | 1 (single file) | Paid |
| Developer | 100 GB | Unlimited | 1 (single file) | Paid |
Cookbook
Common 'blank MP3' scenarios and the fields that fix them. You are adding metadata that was never there, not editing existing tags.
Tag a DAW bounce that exported with no metadata
A track bounced from a DAW often has zero tags. Add Artist + Title + Album so it shows correctly the moment it lands in a player or is sent to a collaborator.
Before: out_master_v3.mp3 Artist=(empty) Title=(empty) -> Unknown Artist / 'out_master_v3' You add: Title = Glasshouse Artist = North Pier Album = Singles 2026 Year = 2026 After: TIT2=Glasshouse TPE1=North Pier TALB=Singles 2026 date=2026
Name a voice memo exported as MP3
A phone voice memo converted to MP3 carries the device's auto-filename. Add a human Title and an Artist so it is findable later.
Before: New Recording 41.mp3 -> Title falls back to filename You add: Title = Standup notes 06-12 Artist = Me After: TIT2=Standup notes 06-12 TPE1=Me
Turn eight blank files into one album
Eight downloaded MP3s with no album info scatter alphabetically. Give each the same Album and a Track # so they list as a single ordered album.
file a.mp3 -> Album=Night Drive Track=1/8 file b.mp3 -> Album=Night Drive Track=2/8 ... (tag each file separately; single file per run) Result: all eight group under 'Night Drive', ordered 1..8
Add a cover to replace the grey placeholder
An untagged file shows the empty-art icon. Drop a square JPG to embed real cover art alongside the text fields.
Add: Album art = cover.jpg (1000x1000) FFmpeg embeds APIC (stream-copied, not re-compressed) After: real cover instead of the default grey icon
Verify the add was lossless
Adding tags to a just-converted file shouldn't degrade it. Stream-copy keeps the bitrate identical.
ffprobe converted.mp3 -> bit_rate=256000 ffprobe converted-tagged.mp3 -> bit_rate=256000 No re-encode; only frames added
Edge cases and what actually happens
File is completely blank
SupportedAdding tags to a file with no existing ID3 data works the same as editing — the fields you fill are written; nothing else is invented.
You only fill Title, not Artist
ExpectedThe track gets a title but still shows Unknown Artist. Artist (TPE1) is the field that moves it out of the Unknown bucket — fill it too.
Filename still shows after tagging
By designAdding a Title sets the TIT2 frame; players prefer the tag over the filename. If the title still shows the filename, the player may be caching — re-scan the library.
Blank fields stay blank
PreservedOnly the fields you fill are written. Leaving Album empty does not invent an album name — it simply remains untagged.
Track # entered as text like '1 of 8'
Stored as textThe Track # value is written verbatim. Use a plain number or n/total (e.g. 1/8) so players parse it as a track number rather than free text.
Dropping multiple blank files
Single file onlyThe tool tags one file per run. For a folder of blank files, tag each in turn or use a desktop batch tagger.
Cover art larger than the audio
ExpectedA huge cover image inflates the file. Use a reasonably sized square JPG (e.g. 1000x1000) — it is embedded uncompressed via stream-copy.
File over the size/duration cap
413 over limitFree allows 50 MB / 30 min, Pro 200 MB / 120 min. A long blank recording may exceed the duration cap — split or upgrade.
Output is M4A/FLAC, not MP3
Container-drivenIf your blank file is actually an M4A or FLAC, the output stays in that container. The same fields apply but the frames are MP4 atoms / Vorbis comments, not ID3.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop my MP3 showing as Unknown Artist?
Add a value to the Artist field (the TPE1 frame). That single field moves the track out of the Unknown Artist bucket. Add Title and Album too for a complete listing.
Why does my player show the filename instead of a title?
Because the TIT2 title frame is empty, so the player falls back to the filename. Add a Title and the player will show it after re-scanning.
Is adding tags free?
Yes — Free tier, no account, up to 50 MB and 30 minutes per file, all in your browser.
Will adding tags reduce the audio quality?
No. The audio is stream-copied with -c copy; only the metadata is written. The bitrate is unchanged.
Which fields can I add?
Title, Artist, Album, Year, Genre, and Track #, plus an embedded JPG/PNG cover. These cover everything a player needs to list and group a track.
Can I add tags to many files at once?
Not in one run — the tool is single-file. Tag each file and download it. For a whole folder, a desktop tagger is faster, but this keeps each file private and lossless.
How do I make several files group as one album?
Give every file the identical Album name and set each one's Track #. Players group by matching album text and order by track number.
What does the Year field write?
It is stored in FFmpeg's date metadata, which maps to the year frame. Enter a four-digit year like 2026.
Can I add cover art to a blank file?
Yes. Drop a JPG or PNG into the album-art picker; it is embedded as the APIC front-cover frame and stream-copied, replacing the grey placeholder.
Does the tool change my original file?
No. It outputs a new *-tagged file. Your blank original on disk stays as-is.
Can I add lyrics or a comment?
No — the editor handles only the six fields plus cover art. Lyrics and comment frames need a desktop tagger such as Kid3 or Mp3tag.
I added tags but nothing changed in my player — why?
Players cache library metadata. Re-scan or remove and re-add the file. The new *-tagged.mp3 does contain the frames you set.
Privacy first
Every JAD Audio tool runs entirely in your browser via FFmpeg (WebAssembly) and RNNoise. Your audio files never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.